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Obituary

Rebecca Sue Zallek passed away within the wonderfully supportive environment of Bright Kavanagh Hospice, Des Moines, IA, on November 27, 2013 from brain cancer. She was born on December 21, 1964 in Des Moines and attended St. Joseph's grade school, East High School and DMACC. At Drake University she earned her Bachelor of Science in Business and Master of Science in Adult Education, Training and Development. She worked in the financial and insurance industries in multiple roles including agent, customer representative, claims analyst, technical writer, project and business analyst, and systems training developer.

She is survived by Michael Susanin, her husband of seven years with their extended courtship starting in 1985, mother Sandra Zallek, brother Chris Zallek (Sarah), sister JoAnne Zallek (Dave Champion) as well as six nieces and four nephews. Preceding her in death was her father Carl Zallek.

In childhood, Becky participated in many sports and excelled in swimming and softball. She had fun pedaling many RAGBRAIs including a final ride into Des Moines this past summer with her brother on a recumbent tandem trike. Becky loved the energy and emotion of many musical genres. She was a regular at local music venues and traveled extensively with friends to dance and share concert experiences. Becky read voraciously and promoted reading and education for kids. She wishes you to recommend a favorite book to friends.

Community involvement was an important aspect in Becky's life. She organized and directed an annual Blues Concert Series at Greenwood Park with all proceeds benefitting charity organizations. Her other substantial fundraising efforts allowed for additional landscaping of area parks and she personally assisted in the planting of hundreds of trees, flowers and plants. The city of Des Moines honored her with a Volunteer Award as well as the Hometown Hero award.

Becky's strongest passion was for disc golf as both a player and an organizer. Many central Iowa disc golfers' first exposure to the sport was via Becky and she was proud to see that these disc golfers' children are now participating in the sport. Her efforts were instrumental in the installation of several disc golf courses and winning the bid for Des Moines to host the 2004 Pro/Am PDGA World Championships. She was inducted into the Disc Golf Hall of Fame in 2013. The Professional Disc Golf Association has also bestowed to her awards for Services to the PGDA and the Sport, Volunteer of the Year, Tournament Director of the Year and a shared Honored Sportswoman award.

Becky's energetic and tenacious can do attitude molded her life experiences and those around her. Though her bucket list was exceptionally optimistic, she twice needed to add to her list. Thank you to family and friends for helping her to achieve the goals on her bucket lists and for sharing the many smiles these accomplishments generated. May everyone continue to be goal oriented throughout their lives.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines in support of the Becky Zallek Juniors Disc Golf Tournament. Online condolences are welcome at IlesCares.com. A Celebration of Life is planned as envisioned by Becky.

She encourages everyone to get outside, enjoy their local parks and plant a tree or flowers annually. As always, Becky now wishes goodbye with a: "SUPER DUPER LOVE YOU!"